Fiscal Year End. The Company’s fiscal year generally ends on the Saturday nearest to October 31 and consists of 52 weeks, with the exception that approximately every five years, the Company has a 53-week year. When a 53-week year occurs, the Company includes the additional week in the first quarter to realign fiscal quarters with calendar quarters. Fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 were 52-week years ending on October 31, 2020 and November 2, 2019, respectively. Fiscal 2018 was a 53-week year and ended on November 3, 2018. For presentation purposes, the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes refer to the closest calendar month end. Fiscal 2021 will be a 52-week year.

Use of Estimates. To prepare financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP), management must make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates and may result in material effects on the Company’s operating results and financial position. In addition, the Company has considered the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business operations. Although no material impairment or other effects have been identified to date related to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is substantial uncertainty in the nature and degree of its continued effects over time. This uncertainty affects management’s accounting estimates and assumptions, which could result in greater variability in a variety of areas that depend on these estimates and assumptions as additional events and information are known.

Foreign Currency Translation. The functional currency of the majority of the Company’s active foreign subsidiaries is the foreign subsidiary’s local currency. Assets and liabilities that are not denominated in the functional currency are remeasured into the functional currency with any related gain or loss recorded in earnings. The Company translates assets and liabilities of its non-U.S. dollar functional currency foreign operations into the U.S. dollar reporting currency at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. The Company translates income and expense items of such foreign operations into the U.S. dollar reporting currency at average exchange rates for the period. Accumulated translation adjustments are reported in stockholders’ equity, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Foreign Currency Contracts. The Company operates internationally and is exposed to potentially adverse movements in currency exchange rates. The Company enters into hedges in the form of foreign currency forward contracts to reduce its exposure to foreign currency rate changes on non-functional currency denominated forecasted transactions and balance sheet positions. The assets or liabilities associated with the forward contracts are recorded at fair value in other current assets or accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments. The Company’s cash equivalents and foreign currency contracts are carried at fair value. The fair value of the Company’s accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates the carrying amount due to their short duration. Non-marketable equity securities are accounted for using either the measurement alternative or equity method of accounting, net of impairments. The Company performs periodic impairment analysis on these non-marketable equity securities. The carrying amount of the short-term debt approximates the estimated fair value. See Note 7. Fair Value Measures.

Concentration of Credit Risk. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, marketable securities, foreign currency contracts, and accounts receivable from trade customers. The Company maintains cash equivalents primarily in highly rated taxable and tax-exempt money market funds located in the U.S. and in various overseas locations.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts to reduce the Company’s receivables to their estimated net realizable value. The Company provides a general reserve on all accounts receivable based on a review of customer accounts. The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts:

Inventories, net. Inventories are computed at standard costs which approximate actual costs, on a first-in, first-out basis and valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories primarily include components and parts used in emulation and prototyping hardware systems. Valuation process include a review of the stage of the product life cycle and forecasts based upon future demand and market conditions. Inventory provisions are recorded when the costs are determined to be in excess of anticipated demand or considered obsolete.

Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes using a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. An uncertain tax position is considered effectively settled on completion of an examination by a taxing authority if certain other conditions are satisfied.

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Assets, excluding land, are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining term of the lease or the economic useful life of the asset, whichever is shorter. Depreciation expenses were $119.1 million, $100.4 million and $72.8 million in fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred and such costs were $62.1 million, $52.5 million and $45.7 million in fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

A summary of property and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization, as of October 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:



	October 31,
	2020			2019
	(in thousands)
Computer and other equipment	$	788,105		$	678,901
Buildings	129,746			68,708
Furniture and fixtures	72,702			72,437
Land	19,965			18,849
Leasehold improvements	242,830			273,985
	1,253,348			1,112,880
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization⁽¹⁾	(769,530		)	(683,348		)
Total	$	483,818		$	429,532

Leases. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which supersedes the previous lease requirements in Topic 840. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by several ASUs. The new guidance requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use (ROU) asset and a lease liability for most operating leases in the consolidated balance sheets. These ASUs also made minor changes to lessor accounting and aligned key aspects of the lessor accounting model with the new revenue recognition guidance. The new standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements for arrangements in which the Company is the lessor.

The adoption of the standard did not have an impact on the Company’s beginning retained earnings, results of operations, or cash flows. The operating lease liabilities equaled the present value of the remaining Topic 840 minimum rental payments for those leases, discounted at the Company’s incremental borrowing rate as of the date of adoption. The ROU assets were measured at the amount of the related lease liabilities plus any prepaid rental payments and less any unamortized lease incentives such as tenant improvement allowances. The Company recognized ROU assets of $475 million and operating lease liabilities of $540 million on the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company determines if a contract is or contains a lease at inception. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make payments arising from the lease. Lease liabilities for operating and finance leases are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of future lease payments over the remaining lease terms. ROU assets are derived from the carrying amount of the related lease liability plus any prepaid lease payments, less any lease incentives such as tenant improvement allowances. The Company primarily uses its incremental borrowing rate, determined as of the lease commencement date, to measure the present value of its future lease payments, as the rate implicit in the lease is generally not readily determinable. The Company uses a benchmark senior unsecured yield curve for debt instruments and considers specific credit quality, market conditions, tenor of lease arrangements, and quality of collateral to determine the incremental borrowing rate.

The Company has adopted both (1) the practical expedient to not separate lease from non-lease components and (2) the short-term lease exemption. The Company has elected the practical expedient to not separate lease from non-lease components for all classes of underlying assets and the short-term lease exemption for all classes of underlying assets except real estate leases, with terms 12 months or less.

The Company performs a qualitative analysis when testing a reporting unit’s goodwill for impairment. A qualitative goodwill impairment test is performed when the fair value of a reporting unit historically has significantly exceeded the carrying value of its net assets and based on current operations is expected to continue to do so. Otherwise, the Company is required to conduct a quantitative impairment test for each reporting unit and estimate the fair value of each reporting unit using a combination of an income approach based on discounted cash flow analysis and a market approach based on market multiples. The discount rate used in the income approach is based on the Company's weighted-average cost of capital and may be adjusted for the relevant risks pertaining to projecting future cash flows. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, a goodwill impairment charge is recorded for the difference. As of October 31, 2020, the Company performed a qualitative impairment test on each of the reporting units and concluded there was no impairment of goodwill.

Intangible Assets. Intangible assets consist of acquired technology, certain contract rights, customer relationships, trademarks and trade names, capitalized software, and in-process research and development. These intangible assets are acquired through business combinations, direct purchases, or internally developed capitalized software. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives which range from one to ten years, except for in-process research and development (IPR&D) projects not yet completed. IPR&D assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives upon completion or are written off upon abandonment.

The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate carrying amounts of long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets, may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances occur, the Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such asset group will be recovered through the undiscounted future cash flow. If the undiscounted future cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the asset group, the Company

Restructuring Charges. In the second quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company initiated a restructuring plan for involuntary and voluntary employee termination and facility closure actions as part of a business reorganization to better position the Company for future growth by reallocating resources to priority areas, and to a lesser extent, eliminating operational redundancy. The total charges under the 2019 restructuring plan were $83.3 million and consisted primarily of severance, termination, and retirement benefits under the 2019 VRP.

During fiscal 2020, the Company incurred restructuring charges of $36.1 million under the 2019 restructuring plan. These charges consisted primarily of severance, termination, and retirement benefits. $57.4 million was paid in fiscal 2020 which included payments of remaining balances in fiscal 2019. As of October 31, 2020, $1.3 million remained outstanding and was recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities as payroll and related benefits in the consolidated balance sheets. The remaining balance will be paid in fiscal 2021.

During fiscal 2019, the Company incurred restructuring charges of approximately $47.2 million for involuntary employee termination actions and the VRP. These charges consist primarily of severance, termination, and retirement benefits, of which $24.6 million was paid in fiscal 2019. As of October 31, 2019, $22.6 million remained outstanding and was recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities as payroll and related benefits in the consolidated balance sheets. The remaining balance was paid in fiscal 2020.

During fiscal 2018, the Company recorded $12.9 million of restructuring charges for severance and benefits due to involuntary employee termination actions. The restructuring actions were undertaken to position the Company for future growth, reallocate resources to priority areas and, to a lesser extent, eliminate operational redundancy. These charges consisted primarily of severance benefits. As of October 31, 2018, there was an $8.1 million outstanding balance remaining in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The majority of the balance was paid in fiscal 2019 and there was no remaining balance as of the end of fiscal 2020.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI) includes all changes in equity during a period, such as accumulated net translation adjustments, unrealized gain (loss) on certain foreign currency forward contracts that qualify as cash flow hedges, reclassification adjustments related to cash flow hedges and unrealized gain (loss) on investments. See Note 10. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Revenue Recognition. The Company adopted ASC 606 on November 4, 2018, the beginning of fiscal year 2019, using the modified retrospective method. The comparative information for periods prior to fiscal year 2019 has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The core principle of ASC 606 is to recognize revenue for the transfer of services or products to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those services or products.

Software license revenue consists of fees associated with the licensing of the Company's software primarily through Technology Subscription License (TSL) contracts. TSLs are time-based licenses for a finite term and generally provide the customer with limited rights to receive, or to exchange certain quantities of licensed software for, unspecified future technology. The majority of the Company's arrangements are TSLs due to the nature of its business and customer requirements. In addition to the licenses, the arrangements also include: post-contract customer support, which includes providing frequent updates and upgrades to maintain the utility of the software due to rapid changes in technology; other intertwined services such as multiple copies of the tools; assisting the Company's customers in applying the Company's technology in the customers' development environment; and rights to remix licenses for other licenses. Payments are generally received in equal or near equal installments over the term of the arrangement. Under ASC 605, these arrangements were required to be recognized ratably over the contract terms. Under ASC 606, the Company has concluded that its software licenses in TSL contracts are not distinct from its obligation to provide unspecified software updates to the licensed software throughout the license term. Such updates represent inputs to a single, combined performance obligation, commencing upon the later of the arrangement effective date or transfer of the software license. Remix rights are not an additional promised good or service in the contract, and where unspecified additional software product rights are part of the contract with the customer, such rights are accounted for as part of the single performance obligation that includes the licenses, updates, and technical support because such rights are provided for the same period of time and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer over the duration of the subscription term.

The Company generally licenses IP under nonexclusive license agreements that provide usage rights for specific applications. Additionally, for certain IP license agreements, royalties are collected as customers sell their own products that incorporate the Company’s IP. Under ASC 605, the Company recognized revenue either upfront if certain criteria in ASC 605 were met, or over the contractual period for IP licensing and support arrangements if such arrangements were combined with other TSL arrangements. Under ASC 606, these arrangements generally have two distinct performance obligations that consist of transferring the licensed IP and the support service. Support services consist of a stand-ready obligation to provide technical support and software updates over the support term. Revenue allocated to the IP license is recognized at a point in time upon the later of the delivery date or the beginning of the license period, and revenue allocated to support services is recognized ratably over the support term. Royalties are recognized as revenue is earned, generally when the customer sells its products that incorporate the Company’s IP.

Software Integrity product arrangements provide customers the right to software licenses, software updates and technical support. Under the term of these arrangements, the customer expects to receive integral updates to the software licenses that protect the customer’s software from potential security vulnerabilities. The licenses and software updates together serve to fulfill the Company’s commitment to the customer, as they represent inputs to a single, combined performance obligation that commences upon the later of the arrangement effective date or transfer of the software license. Software updates are part of the contract with the customer, and such rights are accounted for as part of the single performance obligation that includes the licenses, updates, and technical support because such rights are provided for the same period of time and have the same time-based pattern of transfer to the customer.

The Company generally has two performance obligations in arrangements involving the sale of hardware products. The first performance obligation is to transfer the hardware product, which includes embedded software integral to the functionality of the hardware product. The second performance obligation is to provide maintenance on the hardware and its embedded software, including rights to technical support, hardware repairs and software updates that are all provided over the same term and have the same time-based pattern of transfer to the customer. The portion of the transaction price allocated to the hardware product is generally recognized as revenue at a point in time when the hardware is shipped to the customer. The Company has concluded that control generally transfers upon delivery because the customer has the ability to direct the use of the asset and an obligation to pay for the hardware. The portion of the transaction price allocated to maintenance is recognized as revenue that is ratable over the maintenance term. The adoption of ASC 606 did not change the timing of revenue recognition for hardware products and related services.

The Company's arrangements often include service elements (other than maintenance and support services). These services include training, design assistance, and consulting. Services performed on a time and materials basis are recognized over time, as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefit provided. Certain arrangements also include the customization or modification of licensed IP. Revenue from these contracts is recognized over time as the services are performed, when the development is specific to the customer’s needs and Synopsys has enforceable rights to payment for performance completed. Inputs such as costs incurred and hours expended are used in order to measure progress of performance. The Company has a history of accurately estimating project status and the costs necessary to complete projects. A number of internal and external factors can affect these estimates, including labor rates, utilization and efficiency variances, specification and testing requirement changes, and changes in customer delivery priorities. Payments for services are generally due upon milestones in the contract or upon consumption of the hourly resources.

Some customers enter into a non-cancelable Flexible Spending Account arrangement (FSA) whereby the customer commits to a fixed dollar amount over a specified period of time that can be used to purchase from a list of Synopsys products or services. These arrangements do not meet the definition of a revenue contract until the customer executes a separate order to identify the required products and services that they are purchasing. The combination of the FSA arrangement and the subsequent order creates enforceable rights and obligations, thus meeting the definition of a revenue contract. Each separate order under the agreement is treated as an individual contract under the new standard and accounted for based on the respective performance obligations included within the FSA arrangements.

The Company’s contracts with customers often include promises to transfer multiple products and services to a customer. Determining whether services and products are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately versus together requires significant judgment. The Company has concluded that (1) its EDA software licenses in TSL contracts are not distinct from its obligation to provide unspecified software updates to the licensed software throughout the license term, because those promises represent inputs to a single, combined performance obligation, and (2) where unspecified additional software product rights are part of the contract with the customer, such rights are accounted for as part of the single performance obligation that includes the licenses, updates, and technical support, because such rights are provided for the same period of time and have the same time-based pattern of transfer to the customer. In reaching this conclusion, the Company considered the nature of the obligation to customers which is to provide an ongoing right to use the most up to date and relevant software. As EDA customers operate in a rapidly changing and competitive environment, satisfying the obligation requires providing critical updates to the existing software products, including ongoing iterative interaction with customers to make the software relevant to customers’ ability to meet the time to go to market with advanced products.

Judgment is also required to determine the standalone selling price (SSP) for each distinct performance obligation. For non-software performance obligations (IP, Hardware, and services), SSP is established based on observable prices of products and services sold separately. SSP for license (and related updates and support) in a contract with multiple performance obligations is determined by applying a residual approach whereby all other non-software performance obligations within a contract are first allocated a portion of the transaction price based upon their respective SSP, using observable prices, with any residual amount of the transaction price allocated to the license because the Company does not sell the license separately, and the pricing is highly variable.

The timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers, and these timing differences result in receivables (billed or unbilled), contract assets, or contract liabilities (deferred revenue) on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company records a contract asset when revenue is recognized prior to the right to invoice, or deferred revenue when revenue is recognized subsequent to invoicing. For time-based software agreements, customers are generally invoiced in equal, quarterly amounts, although some customers prefer to be invoiced in single or annual amounts. The Company records an unbilled receivable when revenue is recognized and it has an unconditional right to invoice and receive payment.

Warranties and Indemnities. The Company generally warrants its products to be free from defects in media and to substantially conform to material specifications for a period of 90 days for software products and for up to six months for hardware systems. In certain cases, the Company also provides its customers with limited indemnification with respect to claims that their use of the Company’s software products infringes on United States patents, copyrights, trademarks or trade secrets. The Company is unable to estimate the potential impact of these commitments on the future results of operations. To date, the Company has not been required to pay any material warranty claims.

Net Income Per Share. The Company computes basic income per share by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the dilution from potential common shares outstanding such as stock options and unvested restricted stock units and awards during the period using the treasury stock method.



	Year Ended October 31,
	2020		2019		2018
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Numerator:
Net income attributed to Synopsys	$	664,347	$	532,367	$	432,518
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares for basic net income per share	151,135		149,872		149,036
Dilutive effect of common share equivalents from equity-based compensation	4,571		4,318		4,357
Weighted average common shares for diluted net income per share	155,706		154,190		153,393
Net income per share:
Basic	$	4.40	$	3.55	$	2.90
Diluted	$	4.27	$	3.45	$	2.82
Anti-dilutive employee stock-based awards excluded⁽¹⁾	97		171		850